4. IJB Director's Report 21-8-25CC
North Ayrshire Council · 21 August 2025
Back to Integration Joint Board — 21 August 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Integration Joint Board 21st August 2025 Subject : Director’s Report Purpose : This report is for awareness to advise members of North Ayrshire Integration Joint Board (IJB) of developments within North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (NAHSCP) Recommendation : IJB members are asked to note progress made to date. Direction Required to Council, Health Board or Both Direction to :- 1. No Direction Required X 2. North Ayrshire Council 3. NHS Ayrshire & Arran 4. North Ayrshire Council and NHS Ayrshire & Arran Glossary of Terms NHS AA NHS Ayrshire and Arran IJB Integration Joint Board HSCP Health and Social Care Partnership ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder MWC Mental Welfare Commission NES NHS Education in Scotland IPU Inpatient Unit SDS Self Directed Support RAMH Recovery Across Mental Health 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This report informs members of the Integration Joint Board (IJB) of the work undertaken within North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (NAHSCP), nationally, locally and Ayrshire wide. 2. BACKGROUND 2.1 This report provides IJB with up to date information on recent activity across the HSCP since the last IJB. The report will also provide COVID related information by exception.
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3. CURRENT POSITION National Developments Consultations/Call for Views 3.1 Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill - Organisations, public bodies academic On Tuesday 17th June the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill was introduced. The introduction of this Bill is a significant milestone and will be instrumental in accelerating progress toward Scotland’s commitment to our care community. The eight key areas that the Bill addresses are: • Extension of eligibility to receive Aftercare support to young people who have been in care prior to their 16th birthday. • Introduction of a right to advocacy for children, young people and adults with care experience. • Actions to improve the language of care, including a universal definition of ‘care experienced’ • Legislative steps to tackle profit from residential care • Strengthening the not-for-profit principle in relation to foster care • Introduction of a national register for foster carers • Redesign of the Children’s Hearing’s System, and • Extension of the statutory responsibility to Integrated Joint Boards in the development of Children Services Plan The changes included in this Bill are only part of the wider work being undertaken across Scotland to keep The Promise. Work continues at national and local level. The Education, Children and Young People Committee will be the lead Committee as the Bill passes through Parliamentary scrutiny, and they have now issued their call for evidence which will be open until the 15 August. This can be found on the Parliament website. A North Ayrshire draft response has been submitted to the Committee. The Committee also intend to take oral evidence in Parliament and Scottish Government have advised of the intention to arrange a series of in-person collaborative sessions and group discussions to gather feedback and share ideas. 3.2 Call for Evidence : ADHD and ASD Pathways and Support Ahead of its inquiry into ADHD and ASD pathways and support, the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has launched a call for evidence to hear the views and experiences of organisations providing support, advice, and treatment in this area.
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The inquiry seeks to – • understand why waiting times for diagnosis and management of ADHD and ASD are reportedly long, including the drivers of increasing demand • understand how these conditions are diagnosed and managed • understand the impact of delays on individuals • explore solutions to improve capacity of services, referral pathways and support. The consultation is open until 18 August 2025. More information on the inquiry can be found on the Scottish Parliament’s website - ADHD and ASD pathways and support Scottish Parliament Website. 3.3 Call for Views : Commissioner for Older People (Scotland) Bill The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee has launched an online call for views on the Commissioner for Older People (Scotland) Bill. The purpose of the Bill is to establish a Commissioner for older people in Scotland whose primary purpose would be to promote and safeguard the rights and interests of older people (defined as those who are aged 60 and over). This role would be independent from the Scottish Government. The call for views is open until 12 September 2025. 3.4 Mental Welfare Commission Annual Report 2024-25 The Mental Welfare Commission’s published their annual report which shows the wide range of work the organisation completed last year, including visits to 149 wards and units around the country, meeting individuals, families, and staff. In 2024-25, the Commission published a report on the care and treatment of people with learning disabilities and complex care needs who had remained in either a learning disability or mental health hospital for more than 10 years, and closure reports on compulsory community treatment orders, mental health in Scotland’s prisons, and an investigation into the care and treatment of Mr E. The report provides an overview of the MWC activities, achievements, and the progress they have made in promoting and safeguarding the rights of individuals with mental health issues across Scotland.
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3.5 Psychological Therapies and Interventions Workforce Census NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the Scottish Government, along with other stakeholders, are gathering information to understand the current provision of psychological therapies and interventions for the Scottish population through a workforce census. Psychological interventions and therapies aim to directly reduce distress and improve the wellbeing and mental health of the population we serve. The census aims to understand the current workforce capacity and provision in delivering enhanced and specialist interventions and therapies. 3.6 Events to raise awareness of new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is replacing Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland this year, with 860,000 Scottish pensioners with an income of £35,000 or less expected to receive the payment. To support the new benefit launch, Social Security Scotland is hosting online events to share information on the financial support available for Scottish pensioners. These free events, which will be held via MS Teams, may be of particular interest to staff who provide advice and support to older people of state pension age or above in Scotland, ensuring they have all the relevant information to raise awareness of the financial assistance available to help pensioners heat their homes this winter. Ayrshire Wide Developments 3.7 Celebrating innovation, integration and impact in Ayrshire NHS Ayrshire & Arran held its Quality Improvement Conference on Monday 14 July 2025 at the Alexander Fleming Education Centre, Crosshouse Hospital. This annual event offers a chance to celebrate the wide range of improvement initiatives designed to enhance care, safety, and experience for patients and staff alike. A total of 44 poster entries were received this year, including contributions from medical staff, nursing teams, pharmacists and allied health professionals, with the submissions reflecting the rich diversity and collaborative spirit of improvement work happening across NHS Ayrshire & Arran. The conference was extremely well attended, with excellent engagement from staff at all levels and professions. The energy and enthusiasm on the day was a clear testament to the ongoing commitment to quality, safety and innovation across Ayrshire and Arran services. Our NEST team, won an award on the day for their poster detailing the NEST Empowerment Model.
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3.8 Ayrshire Hospice – Services return to Ayr site Ayrshire Hospice services have now returned to its site at Racecourse Road, Ayr, following the successful completion of its capital build project. The redevelopment enhances the environment for patients, families and professionals alike, with facilities including a modern new inpatient unit (IPU), a connected hub building, and restored heritage spaces - all designed to support compassionate, dignified, and person-centred palliative and end of life care. Key information for health and social care professionals: • In-patient unit and on-site services are operating from Racecourse Road once again • Living Well services are also based back at Racecourse Road (and supplemented by hubs at the Dirrans Centre, Kilwinning; The Carrick Centre, Maybole, and the FABS Clinic • Community teams continue to provide support across Ayrshire and Arran as before (including the Ayrshire Hospice social work team) North Ayrshire HSCP congratulate the Hospice on meeting this key milestone and look forward to continuing to work in partnership. 3.9 Ayrshire Suicide Prevention Community Champion Awards The Ayrshire Suicide Prevention Community Champion Awards is a new initiative designed to honour the outstanding efforts of local volunteers and third sector organisations who are making a real difference in mental health and suicide prevention. Categories to choose from are as follows, and you can nominate as many people as you like. • Care and Compassion: This award is for individual volunteers or groups who have demonstrated care and compassion towards other individuals, groups or peers with exceptional care, compassion, dignity and respect. • Shining Stars: Individuals, teams or volunteers who stand out in some way in terms of their contribution and achievement, and/or going the extra mile, with examples of how they have done this and the impact they have had. • Thinking out of the Box: Individuals/teams who have done something new or different, delivered innovation, reform, a surprising or left field solution, or found solutions ‘against all the odds’ – with examples of what they have done and the impact it has had. • Collaboration and Working Together: Teams who have demonstrated exceptional team working, collaboration, working across boundaries, connectedness etc (this does not need to have been a long piece of work), with examples of what they have done and the impact it has had.
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• Making a Difference with Digital: Examples of thinking and/or doing things differently using digital - improvements, innovations, new approaches and ideas etc. It could be something delivered with the support of digital services, or something locally initiated and delivered. Nominations closed on Friday 8 August, and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held at WG13 in Kilmarnock on Thursday 11 September. 3.10 Award of Self-directed Support (SDS) Contract The Professional Standards (Self-directed Support) Team are pleased to announce the award of the new SDS: information and advice service contract aimed at enhancing the delivery of independent, personalised options for care and support across the Ayrshire communities. Following a robust procurement process led by North Ayrshire, the contract has been awarded to Ayrshire Independent Living Network who demonstrated their commitment to empowering people to make informed choices and take control of their own support arrangements. This pan Ayrshire contract will support the delivery of high quality, person centred information, advice and recruitment services that align with the principles of choice, dignity and independence. The new contract commenced on 1st August 2025. We are confident this partnership will bring meaningful improvements to those requiring social care support and we look forward to working with Ayrshire Independent Living Network to deliver positive information, advice and outcomes for people and their families across Ayrshire. 3.11 Community Partners Spotlight: Community Brokerage Network The Community Brokerage Network provides free information and advice on Self Directed Support (SDS) for everyone in Ayrshire, regardless of their circumstances, age, and level of ability. A Community Broker is someone who helps people find their way through the social care system, with detailed local knowledge and strong connections that can help individuals access the services, community opportunities and resources that fit their unique needs and preferences. The service is fully funded by the Scottish Government and is free of charge to use. No formal assessment or social care budget is required in order to access the service, which is open to: • Those who are unsure if they qualify for social care and don’t know where to start • Those who have been told they don't qualify for formal support and need help to explore other options
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• Those waiting for a needs assessment after contacting social work • Those who are struggling to get the right support with an allocated care package • Those who need help reassessing their support due to changing needs • Unpaid carers looking for support for themselves or a loved one The Community Brokerage Network has recently updated its SDS information booklet, client charter and data privacy policy. 3.12 Launch of new Mental Health Services Carers Forum A new Mental Health Services Carers Forum launches later this month, which is open to unpaid carers from across the whole of Ayrshire. These sessions will be held on the last Wednesday of the month, offering a chance to hear from a wide range of support services, share your views, and meet others in similar situations. Organised by NAHSCP, in conjunction with Carers Gateway North Ayrshire, Carers Gateway South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire Carers Centre, VoiceAbility and East Ayrshire Advocacy Services, the sessions will include guest speakers from a range of organisations. Forum events will take place for the remainder of this year as follows: Wednesday 27 August: 12.30pm to 2.30pm at Fullarton ConneXions, Irvine (with information from North Ayrshire Money Smart and Arran CVS on finances, benefits, and community mental health and wellbeing supports) Wednesday 24 September: 5pm to 7pm at the Beehive, Woodland View Hospital, Irvine (with information from North and East Ayrshire Carers Gateways on carers rights and entitlements) Wednesday 29 October: 12.30pm to 2.30pm at the Carers Cottage, Kilmarnock (with information from AILN and the Community Brokerage Network on self-directed support) Wednesday 26 November: 5pm to 7pm at the Beehive, Woodland View Hospital, Irvine (with information from VoiceAbility and East Ayrshire Advocacy Services on advocacy support) For any additional information, email mentalhealthengagement@north- ayrshire.gov.uk
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North Ayrshire Developments 3.13 Carers Community Fund Applications Carers Gateway North Ayrshire has announced the launch of a new Carers Community Fund, aimed at empowering local organisations to better support unpaid carers throughout the region. The fund offers grants of up to £2,000 for activities, events or projects that aim to benefit unpaid carers living in North Ayrshire. The funding is open to groups, charities and communities, and will be distributed by the North Ayrshire Carers Champions Board. Applications closed on Friday 15 August, with funding to be distributed by the end of September. All funded projects must be completed and money spent by March 31, 2026. Successful applicants will be required to complete an end-of-grant evaluation and provide evidence of expenditure. 3.14 Sponsored walk success for staff and service users of Dirrans Centre Staff and service users of the Dirrans Centre took part in a sponsored walk for the Ayrshire Hospice on Friday 18 July, raising over £850 for the charity to date through their Just Giving page and cash donations. The centre runs twice-weekly Health Walks for service users undergoing periods of rehabilitation, with a walk of 1km to 3km on Tuesdays, and a longer walk of 4km to 5km on Fridays. These not only help to improve physical and mental wellbeing, but also offer an important opportunity for social connection. The group members expressed an interest in doing a sponsored walk again this year for the Ayrshire Hospice, with the charity being close to the hearts of many. A total of 17 service users took part in the event, joined by volunteers and rehab staff. 3.15 Learning Disability Service Launch of New Exhibition Over the first half of this year, our Learning Disability Service has been a collaborator, along with Scottish Care, in a project led by the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities and funded by the Scottish Government. The project was intended to generate learning and resources which would help to promote digital inclusion and access to technology for people with learning disabilities.
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With the support of a diverse range of local stakeholders, the early stages of the work involved asset mapping of digital inclusion activity in North Ayrshire, undertaken by Care Connector Cheryl Stevenson. Later stages of the work saw a design team - including Ute Shauberger from Opencast and interns from the Glasgow School of Art - building on this learning and working with Cheryl and others to develop practical resources to support conversations around digital/tech opportunities, as well as guidance for services around delivering digital inclusion. Those involved in the project, including the clients who participated in co-design sessions, have generated a novel set of practical and strategic resources, which the team is excited to share at an exhibition to be held at the Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, in August. The exhibition was launched at the Harbour Arts Centre Irvine on 8th August. 3.16 Dementia Support Service Inspection Our HSCP Dementia Support Service were inspected in July and feedback received by the Care Inspectorate saw the grades rise from Good (4) to Very Good (5) across the undernoted areas :- 1.3 Relationships – Very Good (5) 2.2 Quality Assurance – Very Good (5) 3.3 Staffing Arrangements – Very Good (5) 5.1 Care Planning – Very Good (5) Congratulations to the service for the very positive inspection outcome. 3.17 Dirrans Centre Following on from its Referrer’s Open Day last month, the Dirrans Centre opened their doors to members of the public who feel they may benefit from a period of rehabilitation on 11th July 2025. The event provided an opportunity to : • Meet the team • Learn about the rehabilitation workshops currently available • Hear directly from service users about their experiences • Complete a referral form if interested in accessing support
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The Dirrans Centre offers rehabilitation support to individuals living with: • Long-term health conditions • Physical disability • Brain injury • Neurological conditions To be eligible, individuals should: • Have a rehabilitation goal • Be able to participate in an initial 12-week rehabilitation programme (with further support options explored afterwards) • Be able to travel to and from the centre independently 3.18 Celebration of learning at RAMH Wellbeing & Recovery College RAMH Wellbeing & Recovery College hosted a vibrant end-of-term celebration of learning at Saltcoats Town Hall recently. With a theme of ‘Rediscovery’, the event brought together students, peers, staff and partners to recognise the transformative impact of learning on mental health recovery. The day began with an exhibition of student artwork, followed by reflections from RAMH CEO Peter Jung and guest speakers. Keynote speaker Suzie Baines spoke about reconnecting with inner strength as part of healing, and the Scottish Recovery Network highlighted the value of peer support. Students shared deeply moving stories of recovery, including a couple who spoke about the positive impact their learning journey has had on their family. Others reflected on courses like Story Trees, drama and creative writing, with performances and poetry bringing their experiences to life. The event closed with a joyful graduation ceremony celebrating each student's courage, creativity and commitment. Recovery College Coordinator Lainey McKinlay said: “In a world that often focuses on what people lack, this celebration was a powerful reminder of what people can reclaim and rediscover - confidence, creativity, connection and hope.” To learn more about the RAMH Wellbeing & Recovery College, visit the RAMH website or call 01294 447355.
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4. IMPLICATIONS 4.1 Financial None 4.2 Human Resources None 4.3 Legal None 4.4 Equality/Socio-Economic None 4.5 Risk None 4.6 Community Wealth Building None 4.7 Key Priorities None 5. CONSULTATION No specific consultation was required for this report. User and public involvement is key for the partnership and all significant proposals will be subject to an appropriate level of Consultation. Caroline Cameron, Director [Carolinecameron@north-ayrshire.gov.uk/01294 317723] Appendices Nil